Food and Dining Briefs for Jan. 21

Local chefs, sommelier named "Rising Stars":
The culinary trade magazine StarChefs.com has named Chefs William
Bradley of Addison at the Grand Del Mar Resort in Carmel Valley and
Jason Knibb of Nine-Ten in La Jolla as San Diego's 2010 Rising Star
Chefs. The magazine also named Addison sommelier Jesse Rodriguez as
the 2010 Rising Star Sommelier. Bradley and Rodriguez are the first
duo from one restaurant to be named together since the annual
awards began in 2003. Each year, four U.S. cities are chosen for
the contest, and tastings are held throughout the year. This is the
first time San Diego chefs have competed. Winners should have less
than 10 years' restaurant experience and be under 40 to compete.
They are evaluated on factors including creativity, ambition,
preparation and cuisine quality. Among the 11 local chefs who
competed for the prize were Brian Malarkey, formerly of Oceanaire;
Carl Schroeder of Market Restaurant; and Trey Foshee of George's at
the Cove.

San Diego Restaurant Week extends:
More than
half of the 200 restaurants taking part in this week's San Diego
Restaurant Week (which ends Friday evening) are so pleased with the
results, they have opted to extend their promotional menus through
Jan. 29. To find out which restaurants are extending, the
Restaurant Week Web site (www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com) will
change Saturday morning. Restaurants that will continue to offer
prix-fixe $20, $30 and $40 three-course menus will still have their
menus available online.

Free pie at Marie Callender's:
In honor of
National Pie Day on Saturday, diners at participating Marie
Callender's restaurants will get a free slice of pie with the
purchase of an entree that day. Visit mariecallenders.com.

National Soup Month:
El Pollo Loco is helping
customers celebrate National Soup Month with a free large Chicken
Tortilla Soup with the purchase of a nine- or 14-piece family meal
through Sunday. Go to elpolloloco.com.

Suite birthday:
Suite & Tender at the Se
San Diego hotel is celebrating its first birthday by offering 20
percent off guests' entire bill when they mention "Anniversary
Special" this month. Go to www.suiteandtender.com or call
619-515-3003.

New chef at Top of the Market:
Top of the
Market, the restaurant on the second floor of the Fish Market at
Seaport Village, has hired Michael McDonald as executive chef.
Originally from Los Angeles, McDonald has been executive chef for
both the Dakota steakhouse and 25 Degrees restaurant at the
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, as well as Brix@1601 in Hermosa Beach.
McDonald has revamped virtually every dish on the restaurant's menu
and will offer some of them during San Diego Restaurant Week, with
a $40 prix-fixe menu that features Scottish salmon and
parma-wrapped jumbo prawns. The restaurant is at 750 Harbor Drive
in San Diego. Visit thefishmarket.com.

Donate and save:
Ponte Winery in Temecula is
asking guests to donate canned foods for local shelters. Those who
bring in five or more cans will receive 10 percent off in the
Tasting Room and 5 percent off in the Smokehouse Restaurant (wine
club members receive 30 and 15 percent off, respectively). Drop-off
is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; go to www.pontewinery.com or call
951-694-8855.

Pie sale:
Marie Callender's will hold its
semi-annual pie sale from Jan. 29 to Feb. 28. Whole pies plus the
tin are $6.99 to go (normally $10.49-$15.49); pies include apple,
banana cream, berry, blueberry, cherry, coconut cream, French
apple, lemon meringue, peach and pumpkin (fresh-fruit pies and
cheesecake excluded). Marie Callender's also has a new Chicken Pot
Pie Bread Bowl, available for $5.99 for a limited time. Famous
Chili and Potato Cheese soups are also available in a bread bowl
for $5.99. Go to www.mariecallenders.com.

Egg search:
Egg farmers are asking for videos
of extraordinary physical and mental skills in their search for an
incredible person to appear in an egg advertisement. The
grand-prize winner will also receive a year's worth of eggs and can
select a local food bank to receive 10,000 eggs. Upload videos at
www.incredibleegg.org by Feb. 19. Five random entries will also
receive hand-held cameras.

URBN to open in North Park:
URBN Coal Fired
Pizza, an offshoot of BASIC Urban Kitchen + Bar, will open in North
Park in April. Owner Jon Mangini opened his first URBN location in
Vista in November 2008, and he plans 10 to 15 more locations in San
Diego County. Go to urbnpizza.com.

Lorimar Winery opens tasting room:
Lorimar
Winery, which is being built in Wine Country, has opened a tasting
room in Old Town Temecula at Old Town Front and Main streets. The
storefront offers wine specials, tasting events, music and classes;
go to lorimarwinery.com or call 951-270-5177.

Farm seeks CSA customers:
The Ray M. Dickenson
Wellness Center in Escondido is looking for customers to
participate in a Community Supported Agricultural subscriptions
program with Morning Song Farm. Starting in February, the center
will be the drop-off site for weekly produce deliveries. Go to
www.morningstarfarm.com or call 949-310-4870.

Berry delicious:
The California Strawberry
Commission has launched its free "Strawberries" iPhone application,
which includes more than 50 recipes from chefs and food bloggers.
Go to www.calstrawberry.com.

Briar Rose invited to kitchen event:
Temecula's
Briar Rose Winery has been invited to participate in the celebrity
chef kitchen at the National Association of Television Producers
and Executives this weekend in Las Vegas. Briar Rose has been
selected to provide the wines for the celebrity kitchen event and a
blind tasting with Anthony Caporale. Go to
www.natpemarket.com/celebrity-chef-kitchen or
briarrosewinery.com.

Paso Robles wine-tasting tour visits San Diego:
Paso Robles Wine Country's 2010 National Grand Tasting Tour will
visit San Diego Feb. 22-25 for a series of winemaker dinners, wine
retailer tastings and consumer tasting events. The tour, which
features representatives from more than 40 wineries in the Paso
Robles region, last visited San Diego in 2007. Visit
www.pasowine.com.

Chocolate Decadence:
Pechanga Resort &
Casino hosts its third annual chocolate festival from 7 to 10 p.m.
Jan. 29 in the Pechanga ballroom at 45000 Pechanga Parkway in
Temecula. Pechanga's chocolatier Jean-Marie Verhoeven will create a
buffet of chocolate desserts, and this year's festival will feature
35 wineries pouring dessert wines including Methodoise Champagne,
zinfandels, syrahs and ports, and live music by JD Priest. Tickets
are $55. Call 877-711-2946 or www.pechanga.com.

Pechanga Wine Festival:
More than 130 varietals
will be available for sampling from 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 30 at the
Pechanga ballroom at 45000 Pechanga Parkway in Temecula. Wines from
Temecula Valley, Napa, Sonoma, New Zealand, Italy, Chile and
Argentina will be served at the event, which will also feature
culinary demonstrations by Pechanga restaurant chefs and live music
by the Wayne Cameron Trio. Tickets are $75. Ages 21 and up only.
Call 877-711-2946 or www.pechanga.com.

Mardi Gras Brunch:
Oceanside Museum of Art
presents its annual Royal Mardi Gras Brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Jan. 31 at El Camino Country Club, 3202 Vista Way in Oceanside. A
New Orleans-style champagne brunch will be served with mimosas. The
Phil Burns Trio will perform live jazz, and a silent auction and
raffle are planned. Tickets are $65. Reserve by Jan. 26 by calling
760-435-3720.

Museum hosts annual banquet:
The San Diego
Chinese Historical Museum will host its 14th annual banquet at 5:30
p.m. Feb. 6 at Pearl Restaurant in Rancho Bernardo. The banquet
will include musical performances, a silent auction and a 10-course
Chinese feast. Tickets are $50, or front-row sponsor seats are
$100. Call 619-338-9888.

Escondido chocolate festival:
Escondido will
host its "For the Love of Chocolate & Second Saturday Sweet Art
Festival" at 1 p.m. Feb. 13. The event starts with chocolates
paired with wine, champagne and beer for $20. There will also be
"Sweet Street" on Grand Avenue at Maple Street with vendor booths,
a champagne garden and more. The "Sweet Art" portion includes
gallery openings and Valentine crafts. Go to
www.downtownescondido.com.

Tasting 2010 upcoming:
Family Winemakers of
California will host the second San Diego Tasting 2010 on March 14
at Exhibit Hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The event allows
family-owned wineries to market wines to the area, and lets wine
enthusiasts taste wines they wouldn't know otherwise. Trade members
are invited at 1 p.m.; the public enters at 3 p.m. Tickets go on
sale Jan. 22 for $45; the price is $55 at the door. Go to
www.familywinemakers.org.

A Valentine's lunch special Feb. 12-15 costs $50 for a couple,
and includes a shared appetizer or salad, individual entrees and a
shared dessert. A special menu is available for the lunches (with
items such as Pan Seared Mahi Mahi Over Papaya Cilantro Rice and
Blackened Chicken Fettucine), as well as the regular menu. Go to
www.falknerwinery.com or call 951-676-8231, ext. 1.

The Grand Del Mar:
The Carmel Valley resort has
five options for Valentine's Day weekend. The Lobby Lounge will
host a three-wine, three-chocolate tasting at 4 p.m. Feb. 13 for
$25. The Lobby Lounge will also have music and romance-inspired
cocktails from 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 10-13 (available from 2 to 10 p.m.
through February); cocktails include "Another Day in Paradise,"
"Love 'n' Honey" and sparkling red wine paired with Chocolate
Strawberry Decadence. Le Salon will serve small bites and specialty
cocktails from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 9-13. Addison will have a
six-course dinner from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Feb. 14 for $125 per person
($185 with wine pairings); menu items include Baby Sea Scallops,
Calamari, Sorrel and Uni; Butter Baked Salmon; and Honey Comb
Gelato; call 858-314-1900. Amaya will host a four-course meal from
5:30 to 10 p.m. Feb. 14 for $110 per person ($155 with wines);
options include Winter Mushroom Consomme and Truffle Ravioli;
Seared Sea Bass; Seared Duck Breast; call 858-314-2727.

Mount Palomar Winery:
The Temecula winery will
host a Sweetheart Luncheon from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $35 per
couple ($30 for club member couple). The luncheon includes two
sandwiches from the Taverna Deli menu, a dessert to share, a select
bottle of wine and two logo glasses. Call 951-676-5047, ext.
112.

Orfila Vineyards:
The Escondido winery will
host a '50s-style night at 6 p.m. with diner-inspired food, a
jukebox and more; theme wear is encouraged (not a formal sit-down
dinner). Tickets are $85; go to www.orfila.com or call
877-727-9463.

Sally's Seafood on the Water:
The restaurant at
the Manchester Grand Hyatt will offer a three-course menu from 5:30
to 10 p.m. The menu is $48 per person, or $68 with wine pairings,
and includes items such as Crispy Fried New Zealand Abalone, Beef
Tenderloin And Lobster Ravioli, and Vanilla Pudding Cake. Call
619-358-6740.

Suite & Tender:
The San Diego restaurant
will have a tasting menu that highlights surf and turf cuisine for
$60 per person ($80 with wine pairings). Menu items include Warm
Butter Poached Lobster, 21-Day Aged New York Strip and
Chocolate-Covered Red Velvet Cake. Go to www.suiteandtender.com or
call 619-515-3003.

U.S. Grant:
The San Diego hotel will have two
events on Valentine's weekend. From 7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 13, "An
Evening of Wine, Art, Chocolate and Jazz" offers champagne, tea
sandwiches, a four-course wine and chocolate menu, music and more.
The event is $45. Next, with seating on the half-hour from 5:30 to
10 p.m. Feb. 14, the Grant Grill will host a prix-fixe menu for $95
per person. Menu includes oxtail soup, roasted scallops, lamb loin
and chocolate hazelnut toffee torte; call 619-232-3121, ext.
2039.

Whisknladle/Prepkitchen:
The La Jolla eatery
will offer "everyday romance" with its seasonal menu; call
858-551-7575. And Prepkitchen is offering a culinary creation for
two to take home and enjoy; call 858-875-7737.

CLASSES

Alchemy of the Hearth: Offers cooking classes at its new
location, 960 Rancheros Drive, Suite L, San Marcos. Classes from
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. are geared toward children and teens. Alchemy of
the Hearth is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Go to alchemyofthehearth.com or call
760-233-2433.

-- 10 a.m. Thursday:
Bierocks/Rumzas

-- 3:30 p.m. Thursday:
Kids' Basic Italian

-- 6 p.m. Thursday:
Just Soup

-- 10 a.m. Friday:
Tiramisu

-- 3:30 p.m. Friday:
Teen Chef Italian

-- 6 p.m. Friday:
Family Fun Pizza Night

-- 10 a.m. Saturday:
The Wonders of Puff
Pastry

-- 1:30 p.m. Saturday:
Afternoon Tea Party

-- 10 a.m. Monday:
Eclairs & Creme
Puffs

-- 3:30 p.m. Monday:
Pies for Kids

-- 6 p.m. Monday:
Winter Comfort Foods

-- 10 a.m. Tuesday:
The Napoleons

-- 3:30 p.m. Tuesday:
The Secret Life of a
Chocolate Chip Cookie

-- 6 p.m. Tuesday:
Intro to Bread Making

-- 10 a.m. Wednesday:
Strudels

-- 3:30 p.m. Wednesday:
Kids' Snack Attack

-- 6 p.m. Wednesday:
Super Bowl Party Foods

-- 10 a.m. Jan. 28:
The Land of Quiche

-- 3:30 p.m. Jan. 28:
Cooking With Your Kids
---- Easy Suppers

-- 6 p.m. Jan. 28:
Feast of the Seven
Fishes

-- 10 a.m. Jan. 29:
Healthy Baby Homemade Food
(6-9 months)

-- 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29:
Wines of California

-- 10 a.m. Jan. 30:
Cooking 101 ---- The Mother
Sauces

-- 1:30 p.m. Jan. 30:
The Women's Room

Alta Vista Gardens:
Chef Klibs will present a
"Ten Tasty Sourdough Dishes" cooking class at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at
Alta Vista Gardens at the top of Brengle Terrace Park in Vista.
Recipes and tastings will be offered with each dish. Class is $15
for members and $20 for nonmembers. Registration required to
altavistagardens@att.net; make check payable to Alta Vista Gardens
and mail to Alta Vista Gardens, 600 Eucalyptus Ave., c/o Parks
Dept., Vista, CA 92084.

Behind the Scenes Catering & Events:
The
catering company teaches customers to prepare not-so-typical foods
on the grill ---- pizza, sliders, salad and pork loin ---- in its
kitchen at 9888 Waples St., San Diego. Call 858-638-1400 or go to
btscenes.com.

Boys & Girls Club of San Dieguito:
The Boys
& Girls Clubs of San Dieguito and its Center for a Healthy
Lifestyle will host a healthy casserole class at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Registered dietitian Peggy Korody will teach participants how to
make Dutch Baby Pancake With Fresh Fruit, Stuffed Zucchini
Casserole, Chicken Pot Pie, Skillet Casserole With Barley &
Swiss Chard, Skillet Lasagna and Apple Cranberry Crisp. The class
is $50; e-mail pkorody@rd4health.com. The Center for a Healthy
Lifestyle is at 533 Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach; go to
positiveplacesd.org.

San Diego Botanic Garden:
Chef Elizabeth
Podsiadlo, the "Opera Singing Chef," holds cooking classes at San
Diego Botanic Garden (different teacher as noted); classes are $25
for members and $30 for nonmembers and include recipes and
tastings. Call 760-436-3036, ext. 206, or go to sdbgarden.org.

San Diego Natural History Museum:
The museum
will hold a series of lectures on sustainable food (lectures are
$5), as well as food and gardening programs. Go to
www.sdnhm.org/sustainableplanet:

Acqua Al 2:
The Gaslamp Quarter restaurant
hosts wine tastings during "Uncorked" the first Wednesday of every
month at 322 Fifth Ave. in San Diego. For $20, guests taste four
wine/spirit selections paired with four appetizers. Reservations
are required; call 619-230-0382 or go to acquaal2.com.

The Collective:
Tasting lounge features
one-of-a-kind, handmade boutique wines at 28544 Front Street in Old
Town Temecula. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays,
noon to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 10 p.m.
Sundays. Call 951-693-4567 or go to tvwinecollective.com.

ENO-Versity at the Hotel Del:
ENO, the wine,
cheese and chocolate tasting room at the Hotel del Coronado, has
announced its 2009 classes for ENO-Versity. Classes are $35 per
person and start at 4 p.m.; call 619-522-8546 or go to
hoteldel.com/ENO-wine. The Hotel Del is at 1500 Orange Ave. in
Coronado. ENO is also offering "Tasting Tuesdays" from 5 to 8 p.m.,
offering 10 wine samples for $10; "Say Cheese" Wednesdays from 5 to
10 p.m. with half-off cheese flights; "Bubbly Thursdays" from 5 to
10 p.m. with half-off sparkling wine by the glass or bottle; and $5
Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. with $5 glasses of wine.

The North County Wine Company:
Tastings daily
at 1099 San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos, plus special events from 10
a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Call
760-744-2119 or visit www.NorthCountyWineCompany.com.

Stone Brewery:
The Escondido brewery and
restaurant is hosting these events at 1999 Citracado Parkway in
Escondido. Call 760-471-4999 or go to www.stonebrew.com.

-- Monday:
Beer U: Inside the Craft Beer
Industry

-- Feb. 1:
Fresh dinner

T&H Prime Meats & Sausage:
The shop now
offers tastings from 10 San Diego wineries from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursdays-Saturdays for $5, which includes four tastes and a San
Diego Vintners Association souvenir wine glass, at 735 E. Mission
Road, San Marcos. Call 760-471-9192.

Vine to Glass:
The Oceanside wine bar holds
tastings six days a week and has biweekly events for $10 to $15;
small-production boutique wines are available by the glass or
bottle. Beer tastings are $6; antipasto platters are $15. The bar
is open 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 1 to 9 p.m.
Thursday-Saturday; and 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Vine to Glass is at
210-A N. Coast Highway in Oceanside; call 760-757-2254 or go to
vinetoglass.com.

Vinz Wine Bar:
Full restaurant menu with wide
wine menu by the glass or bottle. Tastings are from $5-$10 from 5
to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and come with
charcuterie and cheese. Live music on Saturdays. Vinz is at 201 E.
Grand Ave., Escondido. Call 760-743-8466 or visit
vinzwinebar.net.

The Wine Spot:
Tastings at its new location,
2917 State St., Carlsbad. House tastings are offered any time; call
for the tasting of the week. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to
7 p.m. Sunday; call 760-434-9463 or visit the-wine-spot.com.

Wine Styles:
The Encinitas wine store hosts
tastings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 1-6 p.m. Saturdays.
Cost is $15 or $10 for WineClub members and includes six to eight
wines and snacks. The shop also hosts WineDown Fridays, where
guests enjoy wine and live music and can bring in food to
socialize. Call 760-633-0057.